Don Benton, Ken Evans going to China
as part of a language tour group

   
                 Don Benton                                   Ken Evans

State Sen. Don Benton (R-17th) and Yacolt Elementary School principal Ken Evans are part of a group of 11 Washington State legislators and six state K-12 educators selected to participate in a nine-day tour of China sponsored by Hanban, an organization promoting the teaching of the Chinese language around the world.

Benton, who has been to China twice before, says the main purpose for his participating is to see for himself how competitive China is becoming economically.

“It is also an opportunity to discuss why teaching Chinese in more Washington schools would benefit our state,” Benton said.

Evans, whose school is in the Battle Ground School District, said the tour with other educators will help learn how the Chinese language could be taught in Washington primary and elementary schools.

The tour begins June 23.

Steve Bernhoft promoted to executive
vice president at First Independent

Steve L. Bernhoft, senior vice president and chief financial officer at First Independent, has been promoted to executive vice president of the 22-branch Vancouver-based banking organization.

A certified public accountant, Bernhoft has been with First Independent since 2005. He was for 23 years with the regional accounting firm Moss Adams.

Bernhoft, a graduate of the University of Washington, is a member of the board of directors of the Vancouver School District Foundation.

Brubeck Brothers Quartet completes
Bravo! Vancouver season Saturday

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet which plays straight-ahead jazz, funk and honors the Dave Brubeck tradition by playing odd-time signatures, concludes the 2006-2007 Bravo! Vancouver concert series at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 400 S Andresen Road.

The Brubeck brothers, Daniel and Chris, have appeared on the Today Show, the Tonight Show and with the nationally syndicated PBS Jazz in America series.

Daniel is on drums, Chris plays both electric bass and bass trombone. Rounding out the quartet are Mike DeMicco, guitar, and Chuck Lamb, piano.

All tickets are $20. For further information, call 906-0441.

Vancouver’s Microblues Festival
opens in Esther Short Park Friday

The three-day, third annual Microblues Festival in Esther Short Park opens at 3 p.m. Friday, June 15, and continues noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 16, and Sunday, June 17.

Headliners are as follows: Linda Hornbuckle, Too Slim & The Tail Draggers, Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials, and The Bolton Brothers.

Admission is $8 a day, but tickets bought through PayPal are $5. Children under 12 are free. For further information, call 450-7087. Additional information is available by going to http://www.microblues.com/home.html.

Al Bauer gets ESD 112 honor

Former 49th District state senator Al Bauer today was presented the 2007 Distinguished Service to Education Award by Education Service District 112.

A teacher for 20 years, Bauer also served in the state legislature for 25 years. As a senator, Bauer was instrumental in passing the act that created educational service districts. Only three others have earned the ESD 112 award: Roy Garrison, Jack Weber and Don Donaldson.

Vancouver Flyers play doubleheader
tonight; alot of free tickets available

Because the Vancouver Flyers’ home opening game was rained out Sunday, tickets purchased by Bank of Clark County for that opener have been returned and will be provided free of charge to others who can attend the doubleheader this evening. 

The games, against the Portland Javelinas begin at 5:30 in Propstra Stadium on the grounds of Hudson’s Bay High School.

International Air and Hospitality Academy employees will be handling concession stand chores.

Calendar

An open house to discuss the widening of State Highway 502 between Battle Ground and I-5 is from 4 to 7 p.m. today in the cafeteria of Battle Ground High School, 300 W Main Street. <> The Portland International Airport Citizen Noise Advisory Committee meets at 6 p.m. this evening in St. Helens Room B, Portland International Airport. For further information, call (800) 547-8411, extension 4073. <> Producer, composer, arranger, singer-songwriter, concert pianist Michael Allen Harrison performs at a benefit concert for the School for Piano Technology for the Blind this evening in  the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Also on the performance list is Vancouver concert pianist Barbara Roberts, as well as local piano students. A reception is at 6:30 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 each. For further information, call 693-1511. <> The Fairgrounds Neighborhood Association meets at 7 p.m. this evening in the Community Church, 400 NE 179th Street. <> Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile, directed by Llewellyn Rhoe, is being presented by ArtsEquity Theatre at 8 p.m. this evening and Friday, June 15, and Saturday, June 16, in the Main Street Theatre, 606 Main Street. Ticket prices range from $10 to $25. Theater packages with a three-course dinner at the Restaurant in the Historic Reserve are available for $55 each. For further information, call 695-3770.

Headlines Thursday, June 14

La Center: Sewer deal with Cowlitz a no-go--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

Tribe says it's through trying to work with La Center--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

Septic system owners may face higher inspection prices--Columbian, Michael Andersen

Work complaints hang over plant where raid on illegal immigrants took place--Oregonian, Brent Hunsberger and Gosia Wozniacka

C-TRAN employees resort to informational picketing over health plans--Oregonian, Allan Brettman

U.S. Supreme Court rules against Washington State labor unions in lawsuit challenging use of worker fees--Seattle Times, AP, Mark Sherman

Palestinian president dissolves government--New York Times, Steven Erlanger and Graham Bowley

Mortgage rate rocket bumps buyers out of home market--USA TODAY, Noelle Knox

Iraq Coalition Casualties

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